Benton Expands Gold Horizon to 2.7 km and Targets New Drill Area at Great Burnt

Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX,OTC:BNTRF) ("Benton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has identified a high-priority drill target located 10 km south of the Great Burnt Copper Deposit ("SGB Target Area") (see Figures 1 & 2).

In addition, a full geological compilation of the South Pond Deposit has been completed, outlining a continuous gold-bearing horizon over 2.4 km (see gold longitudinal section in Figure 3). Importantly, the system remains open in all directions - both at depth and along strike to the north and south.

Recent surface sampling to the north has confirmed a further 300 m of anomalous gold mineralization, still untested by drilling. This extends the gold horizon to 2.7 km, underscoring the scale and growth potential of the South Pond system.

At the new SGB Target Area, the Company has identified a 500 m long conductor on the flank of a magnetic high, with associated anomalous copper and gold in soils further confirmed by till sampling. Importantly, the geophysical and geochemical signature closely resembles that of the Great Burnt and South Pond deposits, yet this highly prospective target has never been drill tested. The Company is planning a trenching program followed by a 2-3 hole diamond drill program to test the area.

In addition, work will continue at the NGB Target, located between South Pond and north of the Great Burnt Deposit. Previous drilling returned strong results, including GB-25-63 intersecting 5.46g/t gold and 0.35% copper over 2.75 m and 2.16g/t gold and 1.09% copper over 3.00 m in GB-25-59 located 50 m to the south of GB-25-63.

The Company is advancing its 15,000 m property-wide drill program, with 5,080 m completed to date. The program is aimed at defining an initial gold-copper resource to complement the existing resources (see Company news release dated August 17, 2023) and demonstrate the district-scale potential.

In parallel, Benton has collected over 2,000 soil samples south of the Great Burnt deposit, now being submitted for analysis of gold (Au), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and silver (Ag).

To date, Benton has drilled 23,300 m from late 2023 to present at Great Burnt and South Pond with some highlights listed below:

• GB-23-02: 13.00 m of 8.31% Cu, incl 3.00 m of 12.80% Cu
• GB-23-04: 26.87 m of 7.18% Cu, incl 11.16 m of 10.28% Cu
• GB-23-07: 12.30 m of 7.20% Cu, incl 7.00 m 10.60% Cu
• GB-23-12: 25.42 m of 5.51% Cu, incl 1.00 m of 8.77% Cu, 82.00g/t Ag, 4.43g/t Au
• GB-23-15: 22.59 m of 5.03% Cu, incl 0.50 m of 20.00% Cu
• GB-23-16: 13.67 m of 5.80% Cu, incl 1.00 m of 20.60% Cu
• GB-23-18: 8.17 m of 4.22% Cu, incl 7.05 m of 4.11% Cu
• GB-23-21: 24.00 m of 5.81% Cu, incl 7.00 m of 11.47% Cu
• GB-23-22: 21.68 m of 3.59% Cu, incl 2.00 m of 15.3% Cu
• GB-24-23: 7.00 m of 2.02% Cu, incl 4.00 m of 3.01% Cu
• GB-24-32: 11.29 m of 3.10% Cu, incl 6.63 m of 5.57% Cu
• GB-24-33: 20.92 m of 2.26% Cu, incl 2.98 m of 4.17% Cu
• GB-24-37: 18.10 m of 1.99% Cu, incl 4.50 m of 7.24% Cu

South Pond Highlights

• SP-24-01: 18.80 m of 1.13g/t, and 5.96 m of 2.06g/t Au
• SP-24-03: 43.75 m of 1.62g/t Au, incl 4.00 m of 3.99g/t Au
• SP-24-07: 74.20 m of 1.43g/t Au, incl 8.00 m of 2.94g/t Au
• SP-24-08: 14.00 m of 1.23g/t Au incl, 4.00 m of 2.33g/t Au
• SP-24-09: 24.00 m of 1.48g/t Au, incl 7.00 m of 2.03g/t Au
• SP-24-10: 20.00 m of 1.04g/t Au, and 25.00 m of 1.54g/t Au
• SP-24-12: 27.07 m of 1.08g/t Au, incl 5.00 m of 2.11g/t Au
• SP-24-13: 19.75 m of 1.42g/t Au, incl 4.00 m of 3.08g/t Au
• SP-24-15: 22.50 m of 1.24g/t Au, incl 4.00 m of 2.08g/t Au
• SP-24-23: 6.75 m of 2.90g/t Au
• SP-24-28: 27.40 m of 1.00g/t Au, incl 3.00 m of 2.92g/t Au
• SP-24-30: 8.00 m of 2.07g/t Au, incl 2.00 m of 4.83g/t Au

Note: Widths quoted are true core length, true widths are estimated at approximately 70% of core lengths

Figure 1: South Great Burnt Target Area

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/265849_ef30fa117455f92b_002full.jpg

Figure 2: South Great Burnt Target Area: Soil, Till, Outcrop and Geophysical Conductors

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/265849_ef30fa117455f92b_003full.jpg

Figure 3: South Pond Longitudinal Section

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/265849_ef30fa117455f92b_004full.jpg

QP

Stephen House (P.Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for Benton Resources Inc., the 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release and prepared or supervised its preparation.

QA/QC Protocols

Core and rock samples, including standards, blanks and duplicates, are submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd., Springdale, Newfoundland for preparation and analysis. All samples were acquired by saw-cut (channels/drill core) with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference, or hand (rocks) and delivered, by Benton personnel, in sealed bags, to the Springdale lab of Eastern Analytical, which is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples are analyzed using Eastern's Au (Fire assay) @ 30g + ICP-34 method that delivers a 34-element package utilizing a 200 mg subsample totally dissolved in four acids and analyzed by ICP-OES analytical technique. Overlimits are analysed with Eastern's atomic absorption method, using a 0.200 g to 2.00 g of sample, digested with three acids. All reported assays are uncut. Eastern Analytical Ltd. achieved ISO 17025 accreditation in February 2014 (for more details on the scope of accreditation visit the CALA website). Grab samples are selective in nature and may not represent the average mineralization of a bedrock exposure.

About Benton Resources Inc.

Benton Resources is a well-financed mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX. Benton has a diversified, highly prospective property portfolio and holds large equity positions in other mining companies that are advancing high-quality assets. Whenever possible, BEX retains net smelter return (NSR) royalties with potential long-term cash flow.

Benton is focused on advancing its high-grade Copper-Gold Great Burnt Project in central Newfoundland, which has a Mineral Resource estimate of 667,000 tonnes @ 3.21% Cu Indicated and 482,000 @ 2.35% Cu Inferred. The Project has an excellent geological setting covering 25km of strike and boasts six known Cu-Au-Ag zones over 15km that are all open for expansion. Further potential for discovery is excellent given the extensive number of untested geophysical targets and Cu-Au soil anomalies. Phase 1 and 2 drill programs returned impressive results including 25.42 m of 5.51% Cu, including 9.78 m of 8.31% Cu, and 1.00 m of 12.70% Cu. Drilling at the South Pond Gold Zone, approximately 7.5 km north of the Great Burnt Copper-Gold Zone, has confirmed a robust gold-mineralized system over 2.5 km with results of 74.20 m of 1.43g/t Au and 43.75 m of 1.62g/t Au and is open for expansion in all directions.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Inc.,

"Stephen Stares"

Stephen Stares, President

Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact Mr. Stares at the number below.

Website: www.bentonresources.ca
Twitter: @BentonResources
Facebook: @BentonResourcesBEX

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/265849